diff --git a/include/vlc/libvlc_media_player.h b/include/vlc/libvlc_media_player.h
index 040e6510f5cc..92a40de18a06 100644
--- a/include/vlc/libvlc_media_player.h
+++ b/include/vlc/libvlc_media_player.h
@@ -2220,7 +2220,7 @@ LIBVLC_API void libvlc_video_set_adjust_float( libvlc_media_player_t *p_mi,
  * Audio stereo modes
  */
 typedef enum libvlc_audio_output_stereomode_t {
-    libvlc_AudioStereoMode_Error   = -1,
+    libvlc_AudioStereoMode_Unset   = 0,
     libvlc_AudioStereoMode_Stereo  = 1,
     libvlc_AudioStereoMode_RStereo = 2,
     libvlc_AudioStereoMode_Left    = 3,
diff --git a/lib/audio.c b/lib/audio.c
index 60e54819eb32..42ab0ae4d618 100644
--- a/lib/audio.c
+++ b/lib/audio.c
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ libvlc_audio_output_stereomode_t libvlc_audio_get_stereomode( libvlc_media_playe
 {
     audio_output_t *p_aout = GetAOut( mp );
     if( !p_aout )
-        return 0;
+        return libvlc_AudioStereoMode_Unset;
 
     int val = var_GetInteger( p_aout, "stereo-mode" );
     aout_Release(p_aout);